Anna Elisabet Weirauch

Anna Elisabet Weirauch (7 August 1887, Galaţi – 21 December 1970, West Berlin) was a German author. Weirauch was an important figure for lesbians in Germany in the early 1900s, as well as for lesbians in the 1970s-1980s following an English translation.[1] Her most well-known work is Der Skorpion, which was a significant piece of lesbian literature which broke from traditional peers in the genre.

Biography

Anna Elisabet Weirauch was born in Romania on August 7, 1887. Anna's father was a Berlin writer and the founder of the Romanian State Bank. She lived in Romania until her father's death when she then moved to Germany. After moving and attending school in Berlin, Weirauch worked for the German State Theatre where she acted for Max Reinhardt's company until she found her love for writing.[1] She then moved onto writing plays, and finally, to novels. After living in Berlin, she moved to Munich and spent the rest of her days with her partner Helena Geisenhainer, whom she had been with since her mid twenties.[2] Weirauch died in Berlin on December 21, 1970.

The Scorpion (Der Skorpion)

One of Weirauch's most well-known works is her three-volume German novel The Scorpion (Der Skorpion), which dealt with lesbian life and love.[3][4][5] The first volume of The Scorpion was published in 1919. Two continuation volumes were later published, one in 1921 and one in 1931. The book was acclaimed for being ahead of its time in the depiction of same sex people and relationships, as it did not establish a cause of lesbianism, rather it was seen as innate. It was also written in such a way as to not depict lesbianism as a negative trait, rather as just an aspect of the main character, Mette's, life.[6] Rather than writing a standard plot, possibly involving a boarding school romance or naughty maid scenario, Weirauch writes a modern story with more mature themes. This work, as opposed to many others within the lesbian fiction genre released in the same timeframe, takes on an original perspective on the independence and freedom as well as the anxieties experienced by lesbian women in postwar Berlin society. Typically, 20th-century lesbian fiction is more serious and does not end happily; The Scorpion varies slightly here. The piece does not end in the death of the protagonist, as was common in similar works, but leaves Mette single. It does not preclude, however, the possibility of a future relationship. It also strays from the norm in the main romance, as the love interest of Mette in the first volume, Olga, is more masculine in her presentation.[3]

Plot

Melitta Rudloff, known as Mette, (some scholars know refer to her as Myra, likely due to translation) is a lesbian raised by a strict, upper-class family from Berlin.[3] The first sign of Mette's sexuality is when she is attracted to her nanny, but that infatuation does not have any outcome. She first pursues a true lesbian relationship with a woman 10 years older than her named Olga, who Mette is attracted to for her knowledge and charm. Their relationship is initially platonic, but takes a turn for the romantic following a passionate evening. Mette's family actively tries to dissuade her from following this path, initially hiring a private detective to shadow them, and possibly convict Olga of "the seduction of minors."[6] They also send Mette to a psychiatrist, in an attempt to steer her away from the lesbian lifestyle. Following the romantic development of their relationship, Mette's family follows through with accusing Olga of the seduction of minors. Olga denies this when confronted at her home by the police and Mette's family, and sends Mette away. Having been already accused of this crime in Austria, which can result in prosecution, Olga commits suicide over pressure from this as well as her treatment of Mette.[2]

Cover of Der Skorpion.

Mette comes of age at 21, and inherits a sizable fortune from her family. As a result, she breaks off her heterosexual engagement, which she took only to avoid discrimination, and travels to Munich. While there, she meets other homosexual people, and has a romantic affair. However, Mette is dissatisfied without mental stimulation, and leaves yet again, this time to Hamburg. After residing there for some time, Mette decides that she would like to live a rural life, for which she would have to return to Berlin. Once there, she enters a relationship with Cora von Gjellerström, a previous lover of Olga. This relationship is not long-lasting, but allows Mette to come to terms with herself. The series ends with Mette living by herself in the countryside, but at the same time does not exclude the possibility of a future relationship.[2]

Terminology

A main theme in the novel is the complexity of lesbian identity, and rejection of the fetishization of female sexuality.[7] This is conveyed through the main romance between Mette and Olga, the latter of whom is more masculine in their presentation. Mette is smitten by the older and mysterious Olga, who is a "scorpion". In German, a Skorpion ('scorpion'), is a more masculine-presenting lesbian; scorpions communicate their complex identities through their appearances, such as through masculine haircut or fashion. Scorpions are also more sophisticated, frequently being well-educated in various fields and disciplines.[3]

Response and Translated Publishings

The Scorpion faced criticism and was censored in Germany during 1926, as it was seen as a corrupting influence on youth.[8] Prior to this the occupational government blocked publication of the book as it was seen as too "nihilistic" and the block persisted despite attempts to republish the book via another publisher.[9] As a result the book was not widely distributed.

Viewed as ahead of its time and at the same level as later lesbian fiction and feminist classics such as The Well of Loneliness and Orlando: A Biography, a translated English version that combined volumes one and two was published in 1932 by Whittaker Chambers, an American writer and spy for the Communist underground. The English translated version of the third volume, The Outcast, was translated by American novelist and screenwriter Guy Endore and was released in 1948. This same year, The Scorpion rose to be a classic of more intellectual lesbian novels.[3]

Bibliography
  • Little Dagmar (1918)
  • The Day of Artemis (1919)
  • Ruth Meyer: Almost an Everyday Story (1922)
  • Lotte: A Berlin Novel (1932)
  • The Scorpion (1932)
  • The Outcast (1933)
  • Manuela, the Enigma (1939)
  • Mara Holm's Marriage (1949)
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References
  1. Queering the canon : defying sights in German literature and culture. Lorey, Christoph., Plews, John L. Columbia, SC: Camden House. 1998. ISBN 1571131787. OCLC 37836795.CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. "Lesbengeschichte - biographical sketches - Elisabet Weirauch". www.lesbengeschichte.de. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
  3. "Gale - Product Login". galeapps.galegroup.com. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
  4. Lorey, Christoph; Plews, John L. (1998). Queering the Canon: Defying Sights in German Literature and Culture. Camden House. pp. 207–220. ISBN 9781571131782.
  5. Sutton, Katie (2011-04-01). The Masculine Woman in Weimar Germany. Berghahn Books. pp. 167–168. ISBN 9780857451217.
  6. "Der Skorpion – eine Romantriologie von Anna Elisabet Weirauch". Digitales Deutsches Frauenarchiv (in German). Retrieved 2019-04-01.
  7. Dynes, Wayne R. (2016-03-22). Encyclopedia of Homosexuality. Routledge. p. 1386. ISBN 9781317368120.
  8. Aldrich, Robert; Aldrich, Robert F.; Wotherspoon, Garry (2001). Who's who in Gay and Lesbian History: From Antiquity to World War II. Psychology Press. p. 477. ISBN 9780415159821.
  9. Doris Betzl (2003-04-03). "Geburt als Skorpion, Tod als Papiertiger". Rezensionsforum Literaturkritik, No. 4 (in German). Literaturkritik DE. Archived from the original on 2006-01-14. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
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